Meet Gina Ferrari | Mom, Wife, Home Chef and Gardener, Yoga Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gina Ferrari and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gina, how does your business help the community?
Hi there, I’m Gina an AZ native, wife, and mother of two.

Six years ago, life was feeling out of control with my son and all the challenges we were facing. We sought out much help and guidance. Soon it became clear that he had ADHD and was on the Spectrum.

The research and experts kept pointing us to changing our diet to organic foods and removing foods with dyes, chemicals, and GMO’s. It wasn’t easy and took slow consistent changes. As I worked my way through, adjusting the way I shopped and cooked, I realized that even the garlic salt I loved using had GMO’s in it.

I decided to create my own seasoning mixture that would be filled with organic garlic and healing minerals using Himalayan salt. I was a busy mom so I decided I would combine a few more ingredients, that way I would only have to grab one jar when I cooked and seasoned our food. Eventually I hit the mark and the perfect hand-crafted blend was born. It was low in sodium and high in trace minerals and full of healing food power. It was delicious, nutritious, and efficient. What more could a busy mom want?!

We began using it on everything and everything tasted delicious! My son would pour it on his fresh organic sliced veggies and the veggies would disappear. He would then follow up by licking the plate. And to be honest, I didn’t mind because it was such a nutritious blend, so low in salt, and I wanted as much in him as possible.

As time went on, we saw the wonderful changes in him. Removing chemicals and switching to organic whole foods really made a difference.

I created Secret Garden Salt 5 years ago and we have used it every day since. I shared it with many friends and they quickly came back for more of what they called “Magic Salt” because their kid’s veggies were magically disappearing too.

Recently I decided it’s time to share this creation with the world. It has blessed my family so much and I hope it blesses this world too!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a little girl all I wanted to be was a wife, mom, and homemaker. I loved babysitting and cooking. I could spend all day in the kitchen making up recipes. My dreams were manifest, but these dreams came with greater challenges then ever expected.

As a new mom “you don’t know what you don’t know”. My first born was a boy. He came out highly intelligent (reading and counting at age 1.5), super curious (at age 3 I once found him and his little sister playing with all the knives he had brought to her bed because he loved “shiny things”. Thank God no one was hurt!), and highly active (he ran, ran, ran at ALL time, almost getting hit by many cars throughout the early years).

Everything was so hard. On top of it he had such a strong will and fought everything. We couldn’t do the normal kid stuff, even the park was a challenge. We were kicked out of every activity because he couldn’t control his little body and would end up hurting others. He had major melt downs everywhere.

I knew having kids wouldn’t be easy, but I never expected this. I had to do something and I had to find answers. I loved my babies and was willing to make any changes needed!

Once I learned the power of whole foods over processed foods I went to the kitchen. I began making everything from scratch, organic, and gluten and dairy free. I was happy to do it for my family, I loved cooking, and I loved the results we began seeing. It didn’t happen overnight, but with patience and a momma’s determination we made huge progress.

I love creating fast, easy, and delicious recipes. And I love sharing them on my Instagram. My personal Instagram stories @gina_ferrari_ are filled with motivational quotes, real life with kids, ideas for removing toxins and building your immune system, and lots of delicious recipe ideas for busy people. I love helping people and get such a reward from the many people and relationships I’ve formed through it.

I’m so happy so report my son is a different person today! He is doing so well and no longer gets kicked out of things. Instead, he brings joy everywhere he goes!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Arizona is the Best! I am born, raised, and stayed!

When I have out of town visitors come to visit me in Scottsdale, there are so many things I want to show them and do.

The first day we would hike the McDowell Mountains, have a delicious lunch at Ling’s Wok Shop, then grocery shop at the Natural Grocery store and I’d cook them fabulous dinner all seasoned with Secret Garden Magic Salt.

The second day we would go to a Modern Yoga class, have lunch at Flower Child, and follow it up with shopping at The Lifestyled Co.

The third day would be spent at the Montelucia Spa doing treatments and hanging poolside with the beautiful Camelback Mountain view in the background.

The fourth day, we would pack delicious organic salads, snacks, and Secret Garden Magic Salt for a day trip to Sedona. We would hike and picnic at West Fork Trail. After our long day we would come back home and get take out from The Thai House.

The last day we would hit the town, have a delicious dinner at Bourban and Bones, and then go to the Living Room at the W Scottsdale for live music and cocktails.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to recognize Lauren Hurst Deam of Attune Integrative Medicine. She taught me that “food is thy medicine and medicine is thy food.” Lauran educated me on the healing power of organic food and removing toxins from our lifestyle. I owe so much of our journey to her. I am forever grateful!

I would also like to recognize Liezl Apante at Allergy Free Naturally, Gilbert, AZ. She uses the NAET process. My son was a part of a NAET Global Autism Study. He completed 50 treatments for the Autism protocol that was life changing. Since our food changes and completing these treatments, he came off his IEP in school and has completely mainstreamed. I am forever grateful for our journey!

Website: secretgardenliving.com

Instagram: secretgardenliving and gina_ferrari_

Facebook: Secret Garden Living

Image Credits
Photos by Carly Cercone